A Cambridge start-up is creating a buzz with its plastic-free food packaging made from beeswax.

BeeBee Wraps is a new social venture based in the city which makes organic wraps for transporting and keeping food. The firm, which is part of the Cambridge Social Ventures incubator programme, has already signed up its first customer in the form of the Cambridge Cheese Company. The deli will be using BeeBee Wraps in store whilst also selling packs as part of a new loyalty card scheme.

BeeBee Wraps organic food wraps

The wraps themselves are made of organic cotton and beeswax. They are washable, reusable and fully compostable at the end of their year-long life. Kath Austin, creator and founder of the company, says a major advantage of BeeBee Wraps is they allow food to breathe, therefore preserving it for longer. Sounds like a win-win.

“I created BeeBee Wraps in response to the plastic crisis," said Austin. "The solution to this needs us all to take small but significant steps to effect change. I am thrilled to see an established Cambridge business taking the decision to cut down on their plastic use and move towards less waste.

"This sets the bar high and opens up the conversation about our responsibilities as companies and individuals."

BeeBee Wraps organic food wraps

The Cambridge Cheese Company is offering its customers an incentive to go ‘plastic-free’ by launching a loyalty scheme. Customers build up loyalty card stamps on every occasion they use a wrap to take home their cheese purchases. A full card yields a free block of English cheddar and the chance to win a luxury cheese bag. Free cheese? What could be better?

Jacky Sutton-Adam, co-owner of The Cambridge Cheese Company, said: “It’s great to be able to help people do their bit to remove plastic waste from our planet and I’m also excited by opportunities to reduce our environmental impact as a business.’’